MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

by Don Taylor

Don Taylor is president and CEO of Data Staar Communications in Amarillo, Texas, and co-author of Up Against the Wal-Marts and Solid Gold Success Strategies For Your Business. He can be reached at P.O. Box 67, Amarillo, TX 79105.

Self-confidence - the belief that you can achieve and succeed - can spell the difference between success and failure. I've seen it in the classroom, watched it in the business arena and observed it in the corporate world. The capacity to excel increases as confidence grows.

Several years ago, I played ping-pong with a friend whose skill level was much higher than mine. For several weeks I never won a game. While it was frustrating to lose, I could see my improvement with each game. Gradually, the scores got closer. I learned to put spin on every shot; I learned to drive the ball with both my forehand and backhand.

Finally, I won a game, then another. If I concentrated and made every shot count, I could beat him. In just a few months, I became one of the top players in our church group. What a confidence booster that was.

Just as practice contributes to skill-building in sports, there are factors that contribute to generating self-confidence in every aspect of our lives. As you build skills, gain knowledge and increase your abilities, your self-assurance will grow. These seven guidelines will help.

• Self-confidence begins with a desire to succeed. I've never seen a person become successful or grow in skills and abilities who had no desire to improve. You got to have the "wanna" if you're "gonna."
• Become an expert. It is only when you back up the desire to succeed with knowledge, training and experience that you achieve a position where nothing can stop you. Self-confidence, based on ability and knowledge, is convincing. It will cause others to believe in you.
• Don't worry about what others think, just do it. The fear of what someone will say or think about us often keeps us from reaching out to embrace new challenges. Stay focused on doing rather than worrying. Your fears will decrease as you achieve results.
• Make a long journey by taking short steps. Big challenges can seem overwhelming. We must learn that when we do a small thing well, our confidence will increase so we can take on more demanding tasks.
• Aim high and believe you can. Set high standards for your performance and believe in yourself. Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or think you cannot, you're right."
• Act confident and you will be confident. Nearly 30 years ago I learned that I could become what I was willing to act out. If I wanted to become more enthusiastic, I had to act enthusiastically. If I wanted to become confident, I had to act with confidence. Today, as I walk out on a stage in an auditorium filled with thousands of people, I still have to act. The audience will never know of my shaking knees and sweaty palms when I appear confident.
• Surround yourself with confident friends. Confidence is catching. Those who achieve inspire me. Those who fight back from adversity help me win my battles. Friends with positive attitudes will bolster our self-confidence and help us become successful in turn.